Draft-equalizer



(No Model.)

W. LIND S EY. DRAFT BQUALIZBR.

10.603,959. Patented May'10, 1898.

WARREN LINDSEY, OF FREDERIC, KANSAS.V

DRAFT-EQUALIZER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 603,959, dated May 10, 1898.

Application tiled November 18, 1897. Serial No. 658,961. (No model.) l

To a/ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LWARREN LINDSEY, a citizen of the United States,`residing at Frederic, in the county of Rice and State of Kansas, have invented a new and useful Draft-Equalizer, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in draft-equalizers.

The object of the present invention is to provide for two-horse vehicles a simple, inexpensive, and efficient device adapted to equalize the draft, forni a support for the doubletree, and'operate as a stay-chain to limit the swing of the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide an equalizing device designed to connect the ends of the doubletree with the center of the front axle to insure a central draft at all times and capable of ready adjustment to maintain it at the proper tension.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a draft-equalizer constructed in accordance with this invention and shown applied to a portion of the running-gear. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view illustrating the manner of connecting the device to the ends of a doubletree. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of one of the adjusting devices. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of the front end of one of the front rods.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

1 designates a grooved pulley mounted in a block 2 and receiving a chain 3, which passes around it and extends forward from opposite sides thereof and is connected with the ends of a doubletree 4 by rods 5 and 6. The pulley-block, which is bifurcated to receive the pulley, has a tapering shank and is provided at its rear end with a hook 7, which engages an eye 8, located at the center of the front axle; but the means for connecting the pulley-block to the axle may be varied.

The doubletree 4 is pivotally mounted on a pole 9 in the usual manner, and it carries opposite singletrees 10, to which the horses or other draft-animals are connected. The pole is coupled to the front axle 1l at opposite sides of the center, as clearly illustrated in Fig. l of the accompanying drawings.

The front and rear rods are connected by an adjusting device l2, and they extend forward from the ends of the chain in a straight line to the ends of the doubletree, the chain forming a flexible connection between the rear rods 6 and the latter limiting the swing of the doubletree and operating as stays.

Each adjusting device comprises a turnbuckle having its rear end swiveled to the rear rod and its front end 12 interiorly threaded and engaginga threaded portion 5L of the other rod; but both of the rods 5 and 6 may be threaded, if desired. The turnbuckle is adapted to take up any slack and maintain the parts at the desired tension.

The front ends of the rods 5 are providedV with eyes 13 to receive the pivot-bolts, and they also have hooks 14, engaging the front face or edge of the doubletree and forming a secure connection between the same and the rods.

The invention has the following advantages: The draft-equalizer is simple, strong, and durable, and adapted to be readily applied to the running-gear of a vehicle, and it forms a support for the doubletree and relieves its pivot of strain. It obvia'tes the necessity of employing stay-chains, and as it provides a continuous central draft it in a great measure prevents the vehicle from being overturned. The front ends of the rods are securely connected to the ends of the doubletree and the tension of the equalizer may be readily regulated.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to` IOO 2;, A draft-equalizer comprising a pulleyblock having a pulley and designed to be oentrally connected with the front axle of a vehiele, a Chain passing around the pulley, rods provided at their front ends with eyes to receive the pivots of singletrees and having hooks arranged at right angles to the plane of the eyes and adapted to engage the front edge of a doubletree, and means for connecting the rods with the ends ofthe chain, sub- 1o stantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of tWo Witnesses.

' WARREN LINDSEY.

Witnesses:

JosEPHUs COMER, ALLEN L. PENTICO. 

